Grand Nordic Corner

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Grand Nordic free lessons

Sunday, Jan. 13, is the last of the free Nordic lessons for the 2012 to 2013 season and will be at the Grand Lake Nordic Center. It Is the perfect opportunity to try a new Nordic area and learn new skills. Try skating if you are a confirmed Classic skier or vice versa. With more limited rental equipment available, it is a must to sign up in advance at the Nordic center 970-627-8008 if equipment is needed. Again, Grand Nordic members received free rental equipment and trail passes.

To sign up for your membership in Grand Nordic, visit grasndnordic.org or call 970-887-0547 for information. Individual rate is $25 and families are only $35.

All three Nordic areas start their free kids programs this Friday with Devils Thumb and Grand Lake in the morning and the YMCA in the afternoon. Call your favorite area for more information or to sign-up.

More free skiing

The snow is flying and there is cross country skiing to be had in the high country. Back country higher elevations are already tracked by the adventurous. The Experimental Forest trails, St. Louis Creek trails, Corona Road, Vasquez, to name a few, and eventually the waterboard roads on each side of the Fraser Valley are packed by snowmobiles and other cross country skiers. These areas are not patrolled and not maintained and winter conditions are in full force with double digit lows at night. Get out there but go prepared with heavier duty equipment and a pack with extra clothing, food and water. These areas are great for your dog but be careful of animals that your dog might chase or might chase you. Some dogs need extra food, water and warmth layers the same as you and they love to carry their own pack available at Icebox in Fraser and several of the Nordic Areas. Booties or Mushers Secret salve for their feet keeps them playful and moving easily through the snow. Above all, remember to tell someone where you are going.

Free recreational skiing that is more central in the Fraser Valley will be available at Pole Creek Golf Course - another great offering to the public from your Fraser Valley Metro Recreation District. The cart paths are packed and the rolling terrain is delightful for both you and your dog. Please stay away from the green, tees and water hazards. The greens are roped off - trekking over the greens will kill the special grass and give reason to revoke the privilege of skiing there. Skiing is free - watch for the monthly moonlight skis offered. Dinner will available on weekends at Bistro 28 and the public is welcome. Pole Creek and the Rec District does not maintain trails but does pack the cart paths to get around themselves so skiing is at your own risk.

Another free spot right in the center of town is Grand Park where they are packing trails right along Highway 40 in the meadow behind the Rec Center. Park in the lot west of the General Store and remember to pack out your trash and clean up after your dog. The public is welcome but please treat this private property with respect. No rentals or other services are available but it is perfect for a midday ski on your lunch break. And the hot tub and other facilities are available at the Rec Center next door for a relaxing afternoon. Ski rentals are available at Ice Box Sports in Fraser.

East Grand schools

Nordic Ski Teams go to Steamboat this weekend for the first meet of the 2013 season - a 5KM freestyle race for high school and 2.5KM for Middle School. Good luck to all. We have lots of up and coming athletes to watch. Next race is scheduled for Gold Run at the end of January. Visit www.egsd.org and click on your favorite school and then athletics to see team member profiles and schedules.